Lamar Jackson is coming back.
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter opened his Friday press conference by announcing that Baltimore expects its two-time MVP quarterback to play Sunday against the Bills at Highmark Stadium. Jackson has missed the last three games with the ankle injury he suffered against the Titans, and he was a full participant in practice all week, as the final Week 8 injury report confirmed. He carries no game designation.
"We do think we'll have Lamar this week, so you can go ahead and put that out there," Minter said. "He's had a really good week of practice."
'It's Better'
A week ago, Jackson told reporters he wouldn't take the field if the ankle limited him to standing in the pocket. On Friday, he said that had changed.
"I feel like I'm no longer a statue," Jackson said. "I'm able to move around a little better, so I can give it a shot."
He didn't pretend the injury is gone. Asked whether he still feels pain when he plants, Jackson said he does, but that it now falls on the right side of the line he drew last week.
"It's bearable," he said. "I said if it's bearable, I'll go out there and give it a shot, so that's what we are doing this week."
His treatment plan is a steady routine of ice, compression and maintenance work. And he has no intention of playing cautiously once the game starts.
"When we are out there playing football, I'm not thinking about trying to manage anything. I'm trying to win," Jackson said. "I am trying to get that ball out to one of my guys and let them do the rest."
Minter expects the full version. "I think we'll see a great version of Lamar," he said, adding that Jackson should be able to play "Lamar Jackson football."
Why He Sat Last Week
Many expected Jackson to test the ankle in pregame warmups last Sunday before making a final call. Instead, the Ravens ruled him out a day early. Jackson explained that the decision came when he woke up Saturday with swelling in the ankle.
"I feel like it would have been hard for me to make a decision on the day of the game with that happening, reoccurring," he said.
He described the three weeks on the sideline as frustrating, even when the Ravens won without him. "I want to play," Jackson said. "But I'm back now. I'm not dwelling on it."
A Team Looking to Get Back on Track
Baltimore is 4-3 and has lost two straight, including last week's division loss. Jackson said the urgency inside the building is "extremely high," but he pushed back on the idea that his return alone fixes things. He pointed to penalties and missed assignments during the skid, which he can't control from under center.
"We all have to come to play, not just one player or single somebody out," Jackson said. "If we all just do our job, we'll be on the right side of victory."
He also offered some perspective on Minter's first season. The Ravens started 1-5 a year ago.
"We are already better than we were last year," Jackson said. "We just have to keep focusing on the day of."
Minter said the offense shouldn't lean too heavily on its star, and he credited backup Tyler Huntley for keeping the team competitive. "I thought 'Snoop' over the last three games put us in position to be successful in a majority of those games," he said.
Jackson called the Bills strong in all three phases and expects a hard game in Orchard Park. Asked if he views Buffalo as a chief rival, he waved off the idea that any one opponent stands apart. "Every team is a rival," he said.
Two Starters Out
Jackson's return comes with two holes elsewhere in the lineup. Safety Jaylinn Hawkins (knee) is out after missing practice all week, and Minter confirmed it before the report was released.
Rookie right guard Vega Ioane is also out with a knee injury. Ioane practiced on a limited basis Thursday and Friday, and Minter praised his push to get back, but the team ultimately ruled him out. Emery Jones Jr. has been the backup at right guard on the Ravens depth chart.
The rest of the report was good news for the defense. Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton both finished the week with full practices and have no designation. Cornerback T.J. Tampa Jr. and running back Adam Randall are questionable and would need to be activated from injured reserve to play. The full list for both teams is on the Ravens injury report.
A Short Week Ahead
The ankle's next test comes quickly. Baltimore hosts Jacksonville next Thursday night, giving Jackson three days of recovery between games. He said that schedule won't change how he plays Sunday.
Kickoff Information
Matchup: Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Buffalo Bills
When: Sunday, Nov. 1, 1:00 p.m. ET
Where: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, N.Y.
TV: CBS
Follow every Ravens practice report on the Ravens injury report page, and see more on the Ravens' quarterback on Lamar Jackson's player page.